DeSoto junior Skylar White was virtually unchallenged all season in the discus and shot put. But that mattered little to White when she arrived in Austin to defend her 5A state titles in both events.
Girls track and field athlete of the year: DeSoto's Skylar White
5-29-2008
"Anybody could have come out, showed up and threw," White said. "All it takes is one throw, so I was just proud to even have made it to state."
White's approach was worth its weight in gold again as she won the discus (154-6) and shot put (46-5 ¼ ).
White entered the season hoping to break the state meet discus record of 163-6 set in 2005 by Red Oak's D'Andra Carter, but a nagging leg injury slowed that pursuit. Still, she established herself as the thrower to beat early in the season.
"She really improved by saying, 'I'm going out and competing against myself,' still going out there to do her best and make better throws," assistant coach Willie Beal said.
White is already laying out a plan that includes weightlifting and improved conditioning to cap off her senior season in style.
"I'm going to do it again if the Lord says so," she said.
DeSOTO, JR.
At state: Repeated as champion in the 5A shot put (46-5 ¼ ) and discus (154-6)
About White: Set 5A discus record (158-4) as a sophomore. Inducted in National Honor Society and three-time recipient of DeSoto's Soar Award for maintaining a 95 or better grade average in core courses.
Did you know? "I come from a long line of family who were good athletes. My mom threw as well, but she didn't tell me because she didn't want me to feel pressure to do it. She went to college at Texas Tech on a track scholarship."
RECENT WINNERS
| Year | Name | School | | 2003 | Michelle Carter | Red Oak | | 2004 | Krystin Lacy | Skyline | | 2005 | Erin Bedell | Plano West | | 2006 | Porscha Lucas | Plano | | 2007 | Ashley Starks | Lancaster | |
Bev Humphrey
LANCASTER
At state: Led Lancaster to an unprecedented eighth consecutive 4A title
About Humphrey: In her 20th season as Lancaster's head coach. A perennial All-American as a sprinter at Prairie View A&M.
Did you know? Humphrey designs the team uniforms. "I try my best to do different variations of the tiger because I think it's our signature. Once I sketch and think about it, I'll do two or three, and I'll say 'This is it.' "
Chelsey Sveinsson
GREENHILL, FR.
At SPC meet: Set SPC record in 800 (2:11.60); won 1,600 (4:59.74) and 3,200 (10.54.60).
About Sveinsson: Established Texas girls high school mile record (4:43.51) at Penn Relays. Named Most Outstanding High School Performer at Texas Relays after setting record in 1,600 (4:44.70).
Did you know? "I'm a religious fan of America's Next Top Model. I'm not really a dress-up girl. I just like to watch the challenges."
Lancaster 4x400
TIARA MILLER, DANIELLE HILL, JERNESHIA MERGERSON, TEEGAN HILL
At state: Won 4A 4x400 (4A-record 3:40.41) for 10th year in a row
About the team: Time at state meet is fourth in nation, according to Dyestat.com.
Secret to success: "We did everything we could, so when we stepped on the line, there's nothing else we said we could have done better." – Tiara Miller
